Another Day's Begun: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in the 21st Century

by Howard Sherman

A work of startling originality when it debuted in 1938, Thornton Wilder's Our Town evolved to be seen by some as a vintage slice of early 20th Century Americana, rather than being fully appreciated for its complex and eternal themes and its deceptively simple form. This unique and timely book shines a light on the play's continued impact in the 21st century and makes a case for the healing powers of Wilder's text to a world confronting multiple crises. Through extensive interviews with more than 100 artists about their own experience of the play and its impact on them professionally and personally – and including background on the play's early years and its pervasiveness in American culture – Another Day's Begun shows why this particular work remains so important, essential, and beloved.Every production of Our Town has a story to tell beyond Wilder's own. One year after the tragedy of 9/11, Paul Newman, in his final stage appearance, played the Stage Manager in Our Town on Broadway. Director David Cromer's 2008 Chicago interpretation would play in five more cities, ultimately becoming New York's longest-running Our Town ever. In 2013, incarcerated men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility brought Grover's Corners inside a maximum security prison. After the 2017 arena bombing in Manchester UK, the Royal Exchange Theatre chose Our Town as its offering to the stricken community.80 years after it was written, more than 110 years after its actions take place, Our Town continues to assert itself as an essential play about how we must embrace and appreciate the value of life itself. Another Day's Begun explains how this American classic has the power to inspire, heal and endure in the modern day, onstage and beyond.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2021

Reviews

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Day's Begun is amazing. It starts with a chapter on the David Cromer production and it's coup d'theater and ends with a chapter on a production at Sing Sing prison which also had a coup. In between are the recollections of those involved with the productions and how the play means so much to so many. The Sing Sing chapter, in which imprisoned men reveal their changing feelings about the play and, little by little, about themselves, gutted me (much like Our Town itself). A great read for Wilder fans and anyone who believes in the power of theater.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. "Our Town" has a rich history. Many would agree with Edward Albee "that it is the finest American play written so far." For this book, author Howard Sherman interviewed the cast members of 12 productions. These productions were amazingly diverse--among them the staff of an emergency mental health care facility, a young actors program and a college theater putting on the play at the same time, a production staged by deaf and hearing actors, and a play performed by the inmates at Sing Sing prison. All of these oral histories are fascinating and deepened my appreciation for Thornton Wilder's play. “Our Town, it would seem, is about everything, wherever, whenever, and whomever you may be, and for goodness' sake, pay attention."

[MH · Rating 4 out of 5]

The actors and directors of twelve different productions of Our Town talk about their experiences working on the play and the meanings they found in it, in a book that's surprisingly compelling. Sherman begins with an excellent production history of Our Town, and the first few chapters look at theater professionals who have done really smart, deep dives into the script (often coming to differing, but textually supported, conclusions). There are some diminishing returns by the end, though, as some of the regional companies either reach the same conclusions we've read about several times previously or have a surface-level understanding of the play (one company comes across as particularly insufferable, and its self-satisfied actors seem to spectacularly miss the point of the play), and it might have been nice to hear from a designer or two, but Sherman makes strong choices in the non-traditional and amateur productions he includes, and there are so many moments that are either deeply insightful or genuinely moving that anyone who loves this play will love this book.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying Howard Sherman's book ANOTHER DAY'S BEGUN. So much to ponder as I contemplate my longtime affection for OUR TOWN. The insights from others and the recognition of different perspectives found in Sherman's book only deepens my feelings for Wilder's play.

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a fabulous read on the production history and lasting legacy of Our Town.

[Tom Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author states in the Epilogue in regards to the process of conducting the interviews. “many words and phrases recurred: Universal. Mundane. Boring. Favorite.” etc. There are many gems within the text to make getting through the mundane and boring very worthwhile. Read this book. Read, or better yet see the play. If it doesn’t speak to you, see it again.

[Ron Popp · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s basically an oral history of various productions but it’s really fascinating.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you think you know Our Town, taught and performed in endless high schools? Think again. Author and arts advocate Howard Sherman dives into the creation and history of Wilder’s best known work. Where the book excels is in the chapters highlighting various productions. Featuring interviews with cast members and creative staff these stories show the universal themes in the play. It may be set in a small New Hampshire town at the beginning of the 20th century, but these productions show the endless possibilities of the communities made by each production. Whether a production in Miami in 3 languages, in Manchester England following the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert, in repertoire with The Laramie Project, or performed by prisoners in Sing Sing Prison, the revelations the interviewees reveal show just what a genius Wilder is. For the theater lover, the historian or anyone interested in examining the humanity of life and death, this book is well worth reading.

[Sallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book you waltz through. It takes time and demands thought--I'd recommend reading no more than one chapter at a sitting. By the time you're through with the book you'll be exhausted but exhilarated. Howard Sherman sits down with cast members from at least fifteen different, relatively recent productions (from high school to prison and everything in between) of "Our Town" to discuss their observations and awakenings that resulted from being cast in, or directing, this play. If you ever considered Our Town simplistic or out-of-date or trivial, I guarantee you'll change your mind as you read. By the time I was down, I almost wanted to bow in front of the script and memorialize Wilder. It's an amazing dive into what might be obvious . . . but isn't . . . until you read the book. Thank you, Mr. Sherman, for the work that went into this--and the insight that drove you.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, even with a career in theatre, I've never seen OUR TOWN, nor had I read it. Read the play after I read the book, wish I had done it the other way!

Regardless, Sherman's book gives insight to a play that has profoundly affected many who have seen it. But...it's OUR TOWN. It, on the surface, is so simple. Why do we need a book on OUR TOWN? Because it's an American classic and deserves to be studied, especially in this way. Talking to former cast members (or listening to interviews, in the case of Paul Newman) provides an insight you don't get from the just reading and/or seeing the play. The actors comments are inspiring, and certain passages of the Sing Sing production just left me in awe.

A must read, especially for a student/fan of theatre, or the human condition.

[Sharon Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s wonderful to realize how many others share a love for “Our Town”. This book is difficult to read straight through, but it deserves to be explored one setting and cast at a time. A depth of work that reflects the creativity of many different theater professionals.

[Kim Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique and enlightening book about one of the finest American plays of the last century, which continues to be a staple of insight into the power of theatre to elevate the spiritual in our world. Recommended for theatre students, professionals, and fans. Inspiring.

[Beth Harpaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating history of Thornton Wilder's iconic play Our Town. If you've ever seen it, or maybe in high school you were in it, or maybe you saw a movie or a TV version of it, and if you've ever had lines from it echoing in your head as so many of us do when we fall in love with it, you will find this book utterly fascinating. It documents dozens of productions, from shows put on in prison ... to Broadway, to small towns and schools, shows with racially diverse casts and shows in other languages, including sign language. It explores what's sacred and existential and universal about the play and offers up a lot of theories about aspects of the play that are not straightforward, like the suicide of the choirmaster. Highly readable too, not at all didactic or dents.

[David]

A surprisingly stirring book, given its format. But it's centered on exploring the greatest American play ever written so I guess it shouldn't be so surprising that it's such an enlightening and emotional read. Some productions land better than others (one or two are borderline irritating in their unwillingness to give into the play) but spending so much time with others reflecting on what this play invites us to reflect on...This is better motivation and stronger spirituality than what most any stupid self-help book could offer.

[Stephen Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked it more than the play.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars


My first time on a stage, at age 15, was a high school production of “Our Town.” So, more than anything, reading this book was a nostalgia trip that reawakened memories that hadn’t fired in a long time. This was especially true because I re-read the script in tandem with the book.

Sherman has done beautiful work making the case for the vitality of this show and its ability to speak to different audiences and actors at different cultural moments. For the most part, I enjoyed taking in the varied cast members’ experiences of the show, both professionals and amateurs. Productions by a psychiatric hospital, Deaf West, and Sing Sing Prison were all illuminating and played to my interests in how transportable theatre is.

At the same time, there is still a tedium that sets in while reading so many actors and directors opine about the play. I would have been satisfied with one or two fewer chapters. Nonetheless, this is a necessary book about an important play that gives it the attention it deserves, and it reminded me of Thornton Wilder’s entreaty to find beauty in the everyday.